A FORMER Celtic striker has offered his support to Paul Gascoigne after it emerged he had fallen after drinking.

The comments came after pictures emerged over the weekend of Gascoigne looking bloodied and bruised, with cuts on his forehead and face.

The former footballer has battled alcohol problems since his retirement from the game 12 years ago.

John Hartson, 40, was among other who has reached out to Gascoigne, known to many as Gazza, after the pictures were published in The Sun newspaper.

Hartson has said previously that his own diagnosis with cancer in his 30s was the turning point to face his own gambling addictions and personal problems.

He wrote: "Terribly sad to see Paul Gascoigne struggling to beat his demons that unfortunately will haunt him forever. Stay strong and focused Gazza."

Ex-England footballer Kenny Sanson tweeted: "There's lots of alcoholism sufferers. Only one Paul Gascoigne. He should be remembered for his football. Hang in there ledge."

Rangers star Gascoigne, 48, has been at home in Poole recovering after his management confirmed that he had fallen down after drinking and was picked up by police and was taken to hospital.

Manager Terry Baker told the Sun on Sunday: "Paul has had a bad week... He went home where he is recovering. He told me he's been working out and getting stronger and he is determined to get back on track."

His agent, Freda Baker, added: "He's had a blip. He's certainly better now."

The 48-year-old footballer, who also played for England, said he suffered from alcohol dependency over a number of years and also had treatment for drug use and addiction to the energy drink, Red Bull.

Last year he was awarded £188,250 in damages from Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) for phone-hacking. He said the constant media pressure had made it difficult to for him to lead a normal and private life.

He was also recently fined and made subject to a restraining order after he pleaded guilty to sending a series of abusive tweets, phone calls and messages to an ex-girlfriend.

Gascoigne admitted harassing Amanda Thomas, his girlfriend of five years, during a two-week period in last March following their split.

The couple met after Gascoigne moved to the Bournemouth area where he underwent rehab treatment for his alcoholism.